TULSA, Okla. - A defensive miscue by Louisiana Tech allowed Tulsa to take the early lead and the Golden Hurricane went on to defeat the Lady Techsters in the conference opener, 3-0 on Friday night at Hurricane Soccer and Track Stadium.

The match marked the first ever Conference USA game for LA Tech (5-5-1), a league that currently has four teams ranked in the top ten in the Central Region of the NSCAA/Continental Tire rankings.

Tulsa (7-3) came into the match ranked sixth in the region and quickly got on the scoreboard in the sixth minute off a converted penalty kick by star forward Bradi Hinch.

"Tulsa's power running, tackling, heading and kicking were just too much for us to handle," head coach Kevin Sherry said. "We gave them the first goal with a rash challenge in the box. We can't afford to give teams like Tulsa an easy goal. The second half was much better which bodes well for us going forward."

LA Tech freshman defender Marjolein Timmermans was called for the foul inside the penalty box after knocking a Tulsa player to the ground just inside the goal line.

Freshman forward Kathryn Sloan nearly came up with the equalizer a few minutes later when she beat the backline of the Golden Hurricane, but the keeper managed to clear the ball before Sloan could gather for a potential open net.

Tulsa's Roman Edwards gave the opponent a 2-0 advantage in the 32nd minute on a high bender from the right wing that snuck past Caitlin Updyke into the back corner.

The power game of Tulsa's showed its teeth once more in 63rd minute of the second period when Claire Nicholson received a pass off a LA Tech turnover, split two defenders on the dribble and slid it past a diving Updyke.

The Golden Hurricane held a 13-6 shot advantage. Sophomore Brittany Beddow and forward Kailee Hervey had the lone shots on goal on the night for the Techsters.

The team returns to C-USA action on Sunday when they play on Sunday, Sept. 29 at North Texas at 1 p.m.

For complete coverage of LA Tech Soccer, please follow @LATechSOC on Twitter or visit the official home of Louisiana Tech Athletics at www.LATechSports.com.